Hermantown council approves comprehensive-plan amendment amid heated opposition over proposed data center

Hermantown City Council voted on June 8 to amend chapters of the city's 2045 comprehensive plan to expand its urban service boundary after an extended public-comment period dominated by debate over a proposed hyperscale data center and associated water and sewer extensions.

Supporters of the amendment, including Councilor Jelly (motion) and Councilor Peterson (second), said the change reconciles mapping inconsistencies with the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) and allows the district to consider future utility extensions that are currently outside the city's urban services area. "This amendment allows WLSSD to review potential sanitary and water extensions within a clearly defined service area," city staff said during the presentation. City Administrator John Moulder and community-development staffer Eric Johnson said the plan amendment itself does not obligate construction of pipes or force residents to connect to city water and sewer.

Residents speaking at length during the public-comment period urged the council to pause or table the resolution, saying the item is linked to a confidentially named project (referred to in records as "Project LON") and to developer and utility meetings the public learned about through document requests. "You gave us no notice and then started changing plans," said Clarissa X, a nearby property owner who said documents show city staff and outside developers signed non-disclosure agreements. Many speakers asked for an independent audit, an open town hall with project engineers and a citywide referendum before the council acted.

Opponents repeatedly raised concerns about well water, wetlands and local ecosystems. "If private wells are affected, what protections will residents have?" asked Irene Pane, citing uncertainty about monitoring and remediation. Ecologists and longtime residents warned that large-scale industrial development in wetland-rich parts of Hermantown could harm trout streams and local groundwater.

Several speakers countered that modern data centers use advanced cooling and monitoring and can deliver local economic benefits. Nate Weisenhart, a data-center operations manager, urged balanced scrutiny: "With the right oversight this can be a project that reflects our values and benefits for our kids," he said. Business leaders on the council's public-support side urged robust mitigation conditions and public engagement.

Council discussion before the vote focused on process and timing. Staff said the developer plans a public information session on June 24 and that WLSSD had requested the map change to accommodate its review schedule; WLSSD officials were expected to consider related items on their July calendar. Councilors also asked staff to incorporate a well-monitoring and mitigation discussion into future permit review.

By roll call the council approved Resolution 2026-55; Mayor Buchet cast the lone recorded No vote. The amendment updates the city's comprehensive-plan maps and clarifies short-term and long-term growth areas for utility servicing. City staff said the change does not itself authorize construction of utilities or final land-use approvals, which would require separate permitting and environmental review.

Next steps: staff indicated the amendment will enable WLSSD to process sanitary-sewer requests tied to future projects. The proposed data center project remains subject to an Associated Utility Review (AUR), future permits, and at least one pending legal complaint filed earlier this year challenging aspects of the planning process. The developer's public session on June 24 is expected to present more technical detail and a question-and-answer format.